Even before full-timing, the campground we kept coming back to over and over again is Comlara Park near Bloomington, IL. Located on Evergreen Lake, Comlara has great campsites and many many trails to explore. We’ll tell you all you need to know to visit, and even share our secret favorite campsite.
About Comlara Park
13001 Recreation Area Drive
Hudson, IL 61748
(309) 434-6770
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/92/Parks-Recreation
Comlara Park is located on Evergreen Lake and is part of the McLean County Parks & Recreation department. It’s a very popular park for both campers and locals. It is a large park consisting of several non-contiguous areas of property. If you want to explore everything, you will need to do some driving, often leaving the park to reach trailheads.
The Campground at Comlara Park
Campsites
There are a variety of different types of campsites available at Comlara, including electric, non-electric, and primitive/walk-in. The main campground features 94 electric sites (a mix of 50 and 30 amp) and 23 non-electric sites. Many of these sites have parking pads, but there are also a handful of walk-in tent sites.
In the White Oak Area, across the lake from the main campground are 16 primitive walk-in sites. These are beautiful sites if you don’t mind carrying in your gear. They’re tucked in the woods and very peaceful- we’ve never actually seen anyone camping in this area so it’d be a great place to get away from the crowds.
Reservations
Reservations open the first Saturday of April every year. The best sites can go fast, but we have never had trouble finding something good mid-season. Booking online requires a non refundable deposit of $10 plus the first night’s camping fee. If you do need to change your reservation, each season you’re allowed to move one reservation, without paying a new deposit. Besides online reservations, you can also reserve in-person, over the phone, or by mail.
When you arrive at Comlara, check in at the Visitor Center at the entrance to the campground.
Camping Costs
- 50 amp electric site: $27/night
- 30 amp electric site: $24/night
- Non-electric site: $21/night
PLUS $7 in-person reservation fee or $10 online/phone reservation fee for all sites
Comlara Park Amenities
Electricity- Comlara offers a mix of electric and non-electric sites. There are 94 total electric sites, the majority of which are 30 amp sites, with a handful of 50 amp sites as well.
Water- There aren’t water hookups in each campsite, but there are enough water spigots around the park that most sites are able to hook up to water- just make sure to always use a hose splitter so that others can still access it too!
Dump Station- The biggest downside for a longer stay is that the dump station is not actually in the campground itself. Instead, it’s in the Main Recreation Area, near the main boat launch, about half a mile from the campground entrance. I definitely wouldn’t try using a toter with this drive.
Shower House- There is one shower/restroom building in the campground, across from the boat dock parking. We’ve never had to use it personally, but it appears to be well-maintained.
Other Campground Amenities- Inside the campground part of the park there are 2 boat docks, a small fishing dock, a playground near the showerhouse, dumpsters, firewood for sale, and access to hiking trails. Campsites have fire pits and picnic tables.
Winter Camping at Comlara Park
Comlara Park is open year-round for camping, but they do make some changes in winter. During the off-season, registration switches to all walk-in and they don’t take registrations. You can either register at the Visitor Center during business hours or use the Self-Registration Dropbox near the campground entrance.
In winter, only sites 1-33 in the front section of the campground are available. They are all 30 or 50 amp electric sites. Water is also shut down for the season, including the dumpstation.
Rules
- No alcohol
- No vehicles on grass
- No gathering firewood
- No swimming, except at the swim beach
- No unleashed pets
- 10 horsepower limit on Evergreen Lake
- Register all watercraft
Nelsons’ Necessities
Nelsons’ Necessities are mini reviews of products we love. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Scatter Wooden Yard Game
We love wooden yard games. Not only are they sturdier than plastic games, but there’s just something about the sound when the wood pieces hit each other. One of our go-tos is Scatter because there’s no limit to how many people can play. The basic idea is that you line up the numbered blocks similar to bowling pins, and then throw a dowel at them to knock them over. Then, the numbered blocks are reset wherever they land and the next player throws, so the game changes with every turn. We love playing Scatter just us and when friends come to visit- making it a Nelson Necessity.
Our Favorite Sites
Since we’re all friends here, we thought we’d share with you our favorite campsites at Comlara- but let’s keep this between us so they don’t all fill up too fast! Our favorites are based on either views of the lake, or access to the lake.
Favorite Sites: #40, #55, #56, #29
Runner-Ups: #28, #30, #31, #31a, #11, #12, #13, #17, #39, #54, #57, #19
Evergreen Lake
The highlight of your trip to Comlara Park will be Evergreen Lake. Whether you’re a fisher, paddler, or just enjoy the views, it’s the center of the park for a reason.
Fishing on Evergreen Lake
Evergreen Lake is a popular fishing spot for bass, crappie, walleye, muskie, bluegill, and catfish. You’ll find people fishing by boat, on shore, and on docks. Fishing is prohibited in/below/beyond the spillway, though, so avoid that area. Besides Illinois fishing regulations, be sure to check the Evergreen Lake specific limits and regulations before you go.
If you need bait, or other supplies, there is a bait shop near the boat launch in the Main Recreation Area. It’s open seasonally from April- October 15th.
Evergreen Lake Boating
There is a 10 horsepower limit on Evergreen Lake, but it is still a popular spot for fishing by boat and for paddlers.
Boat Launches- There are 2 boat launches (one in the Main Recreation Area, one in the White Oak area), but for paddlers there are tons of places that you can put in (including easily from the campground). When we camp here, we usually snag a site where we can launch kayaks right from the campsite.
Registration- All boats (including canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards) need to be registered online or at the Park Visitor Center. You’ll receive a sticker to attach to your boat.
Watercraft registration fees:
- Residents: $15 Daily or $38 Annual
- Non-Residents: $20 Daily or $48 annual
Rentals- Comlara offers rentals for canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, paddleboards, rowboats, and pontoons. Boat rentals are available through the bait shop, in the Main Recreation Area. The bait shop is open April-October 15th daily from 8am-4pm.
Rental Fees:
- Canoes- $15/hour or $30/day
- Kayaks- $15/hour or $30/day
- Paddle boats- $10/30 minutes
- Paddleboards- $15/hour or $30/day
- Rowboat w/o motor- $20/hour or $35/day
- Rowboat w/ 5hp motor- $30/hour or $75/day
- Pontoon- $100/2 hours, $175/4 hours, or $325/hours
Swimming at Comlara Park
In the Main Recreation Area (MRA) of Comlara Park is the F.R. Glasener Beach for swimming. For the first few years we visited Comlara, it was always closed, but last time we were there it was open again. The beach is open seasonally and has a $3 daily fee ($1 for kids 6-12, free for kids under 6).
Comlara Park Trails
Comlara has an extensive trail system with over 25 miles to hike, bike, and horseback ride. Trails range from 0.7 – 3.9 miles, and many of the trails connect to each other for a longer trek. There is also a good variety of difficulty, since trails range from Easy to Difficult. Full trail descriptions and maps are available online.
The Shady Hollow Nature Trail is the only trail that is limited to foot traffic only, all other trails are open to hiking and biking. 12 of the 21 trails are also open to equestrian use.
There is also a series of single track trails that are maintained in part by the Comlara Off-Road Biking Association. These trails are open to hiking and biking only. This is a really popular area for mountain bikers, since there aren’t many public places like it in the central & northern part of the state.
Where to Go Near Comlara
Comlara Park is located in Hudson, IL and is only 15 minutes from Normal, IL, and 20 minutes from Bloomington, IL. Bloomington-Normal is a large metro area with any amenities and shopping you might need- including the nearest Walmart.
Groceries
The closest grocery store to Comlara is Kirby Foods in El Paso, Illinois which is about 10-15 minutes north of Comlara.
Kirby Foods El Paso
45 N Fayette St, El Paso, IL 61738
Gas
The nearest gas station is Casey’s in Hudson, about 10 minutes south of Comlara.
Casey’s
202 E. Franklin st, hudson, il 61748
Activities near Comlara Park
If you’re looking for more activities to do on your trip, check out our Bloomington-Normal activity guide!
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